The richness of the Mexican culture was out in full color in September when the campus community hosted its 5th annual El Grito celebration.

El Grito is an important traditional celebration in Mexico that commemorates the start of the country’s war for independence. Each year on September 15 at 11:00 p.m., Mexico’s president rings a bell at the National Palace in Mexico City and shouts out a call of patriotism based on the Cry of Dolores, the call out made two centuries ago by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla that started the war for independence. This call is replicated in cities and towns throughout Mexico, with the highest-ranking government official making the call. For theMexican people, it is as sacred as the 4th of July is to Americans.

Heritage started hosting this cultural event in 2018. It is both a time to celebrate the heritage shared by a significant portion of the university’s student body and a way to bring the community to the campus. With September 15 landing Sunday this year, the university broke away from the tradition a bit by celebrating the day before on a Saturday and reenacting the Cry of Dolores earlier in the evening at 7:00.

The event featured traditional dancing and music, including a performance of Aztec dances, folkloric dance by Grupo La Esperanza, and a night dance led by local band Los de la Z. Community organizations participated in a resource fair, and children and families enjoyed traditional crafts and games. Mexican Consul Representative Oscalin Figueroa led the crowd through the Cry of Dolores.